FEEL it's indeed a great pop album and among jpop scene nowadays, it's like a breath of fresh air.
Alive, Poison, Contrail and Stardust in my Eyes are such gorgeous songs
. Alive, it's quickly become one of my Namie's favorites ever.
Unfortunately, overall FEEL sounds so generic and it's only good for times you're craving for some fun and catchy songs. There's anything bad about this though, music can't be only meaningful lyrics or virtuosity. I really liked how Namie found her new style in a more cohesive way than that huge mess Uncontrolled was. But I doubt I'll remember all FEEL tracks, excepted for my favorite ones. Because I could find the same style on a average pop western singer or kpop one.
LOVE again in the other hand, lacks creativity and Ayu's playing more safely this time.
Imho, LOVE again is not her worst album but isn't on my Ayu top 5 neither. It's way way lower. However singles (yep, I still refuse to call them mini-albums lol) are so good they sound wasted for LOVE again. Although Bye-bye darling is the only album track that really stands out among others. That guitar at the beginning it's so damn good.
I know she worked really hard, as always, but while listening to LOVE again I feel Ayu didn't really expressed herself this time.
She seemed forced to play safely, maybe to please japanese listeners due to her lacks of popularity. Just my opinions though, don't states them as facts.
Namie wins mostly because of her confidence, not really musically wise imo, and I'm happy she sells so well. I wish Ayu could learn from her for her next album, because I can't believe just two years ago she released a masterpiece as BRILLANTE and now she seems scared to trying something new.
LOL sorry for the wall of text
